Should I turn off a leaking water heater?
Short answer
Yes. Close the cold water inlet valve at the top of the unit and turn off its power at the breaker or set the gas valve to off. That stops the water supply feeding the leak and prevents the unit from heating improperly.
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Shutdown sequence
- Electric: switch off the dedicated breaker. Gas: turn the control knob to OFF.
- Close the cold water inlet valve on top of the heater.
- If there is no inlet valve, close the main supply.
- Leave draining to the professional unless flooding is imminent.
When to leave instead
If you smell gas, do not operate switches. Leave the property and call the gas utility from outside.
Related questions
Can I keep using cold water?
Usually yes, as long as you closed only the heater's inlet valve rather than the main supply.
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